Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books: “Coming to Terms with Experience Through Writing,” and, “New Moon by Half.” Both were developed over a few decades during which I taught an introduction to poetry, and writing from experience, at several colleges, east coast and Chicago.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “New Moon by Half” A Lifetime in Poetry,” a book of poems written over several decades.
What inspired the Book is that I finally felt that I had enough good poems that were worth a hearing to make a book out of them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I write when my mind captures an image or feeling.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several books by C. S. Lewis (wrote my masters degree on C. S Lewis) ; “The Fifth Risk.” “Man and his Gods,” by Homer W. Smith.
Poetry: Howard Nemerov, W. H. Auden, Wislawa Szymborska, Sappho, Edgar Lee Masters, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, including his writings on poetry, C K Williams—and loads more.
What are you working on now?
Promoting “New Moon by Half: A Lifetime in Poetry.”
Also a Universe poem, because I was struck with the thought that mathematicians—for centuries—exploring the makeup of the universe—without thinking that this was anything more than serious mathematical Play—found again and again that this was just how the universe was put together! Mathematicians were also amazed.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Yet to be discovered. So far Facebook, Instagram and Amazon have given me a clear sense
as to how accessible the poems are (quite accessible).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get a journal and begin writing down anything that captures you with feeling. Pay attention to what your mind is doing, moment by moment, as you write. And if you need further guidance, get “Coming to Terms with Experience,” to understand the writing process that will unfold with journal writing.
And, as a professor said to me early on: “Put a mile of words onto paper.” (This advice was given to him early out of his desire to paint: “Put a mile of paint onto paper.”)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pay close attention to what you mind is offering.
What are you reading now?
Re-reading “Man and his Gods,” by Homer W. Smith
What’s next for you as a writer?
More poems.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded, I wouldn’t have had time to take any books, perhaps other than a small pocket notebook (which I carry at all times), and a needle-point ballpoint pen (which I carry at all times)—so that I could sit, think, and write.
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